The Paris Agreement: Truth, Obligations and "Noble Lies" by Melany Banks

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The Paris Agreement: Truth, Obligations and "Noble Lies" by Melany Banks
In her article, “The Paris Agreement: Truth, Obligations and 'Noble Lies,'” Melany Banks provides a nuanced analysis of the Paris Agreement. While Banks' article provides a thoughtful analysis of the Paris Agreement, it seems that she is not entirely convinced by its effectiveness or sincerity towards the cause. By suggesting that the Agreement contains "noble lies," Banks seems to be questioning the motivations and commitments of the parties involved. Ultimately, her critical tone and authoritative arguments question whether the Paris Agreement is a genuine step forward in addressing climate change or merely a diplomatic facade meant to placate the public.
One key argument by Banks is that the Paris Agreement is justified because it frames climate change as an urgent global threat, which motivates states to work together to address the problem. The author indicates that the Paris Agreement is justified because this characterization of climate change as an urgent global threat will motivate states to take collective action (Banks, 2021, 16). Explicitly, by emphasizing the problem's urgency, the Agreement may spur countries to prioritize climate change as an issue they must address together. While some critics argue that this framing is manipulative, Banks insists that it can be seen as a "noble lie" if it effectively encourages global cooperation to address climate change (Banks, 2021; 11-13). Banks claims that the Paris Agreement strategically avoids attributing historical responsibility for greenhouse gas emissions to encourage all states, including wealthier, high-emitting states, to participate in the agreement (Banks, 2021; 17). The Agreement avoids alienating potential participants and makes cooperation more likely by avoiding assigning blame to particular countries for greenhouse gas emissions. The Agreement can potentially foster global change by encouraging more sustainable attitudes and behaviors around the world. Positioning climate change as an urgent, collective threat may help motivate states to take action together. Hence, by framing the issue in this way, the Agreement could encourage more countries to commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, investing in clean energy, and adapting to the effects of climate change.
Banks’ article regards the move to position climate change as an urgent threat as a strategic choice to foster cooperation among states rather than an oversight. The author uses the term "noble lies" to suggest that some of the untruths or deceptions within the Paris Agreement may have been made with good intentions in mind (that is; to push through the agreement or to make it more palatable to certain parties) (Banks, 2021; 14). She draws on the "noble lie" from Plato's Republic to justify this manipulation, arguing that the result—international collaboration to address climate change—outweighs any concerns about accuracy (Banks, 2021; 17). Banks situates the Paris Agreement within the more extensive history of internat...